11.12.2007

I know, I know. Been too long since my last post. I've been real busy with school and life, lots of papers due, plus my impending job search of doom. I recently put together a list of the top 20 companies I'd like to work for, and why, so I figured I'd post that here, and that can sort of count as a post, right?

1. GoogleThis company knows what they’re doing. It also helps that they know how to treat their employees. They got #1 on the Fortune list for a reason. Tuition reimbursement is great, could get an advanced degree. Boston and Washington D.C. Locations a plus. International offices a plus. Plethora of employee benefits a MAJOR plus. A company I’d be stupid to turn down. Advertising Sales or Marketing departments.

2. Wieden + KennedyProbably have one of my favorite client lists of any of the agencies on my list. Love the work they do for ESPN. Like the recent campaigns for Coke. Creativity seems to be a top priority at this agency.

3. Hill | HollidayRecent campaigns for Dunkin’ Donuts are some of my favorite ads of all time, rate up there with the Mac vs. PC ads. One of the reasons I became interested in advertising. Boston headquarters a plus.

4. ESPNAs a sports fan, this is another dream job, and I know I’m throwing around the “dream job” terminology a lot, but this qualifies. I’d love to work marketing for a broadcast/cable channel, and ESPN would keep me interested and motivated. Love the benefits. Love the on site, free gym for employees at the Bristol location.

5. Arnold WorldwideGreat client list. Would love to get a shot to do something with Amtrak and ESPN. Multiple offices a plus. Seems like they have the right attitude and right outlook when it comes to advertising. Like the brand truth idea.

6. OgilvyThe agency is a classic. Would be a dream to work for, if only I didn’t have to live in NYC. I think I could learn a lot from this company. Worldwide locations is appealing, hope to work in a foreign market one day

7. TBWA \ Chiat \ DayLove their creative work. Especially on the Apple ads. Mac vs. PC has to be one of my favorite campaigns, and another one of the reasons I became interested in advertising. Downside is that I’d have to live in LA for the better accounts.

8. Saatchi & SaatchiI read Lovemarks last year. Thought Kevin Roberts was right on the money. In order for a brand to achieve high levels of success these days, you really need to find ways to form a deep emotional connection with the customer. Worldwide offices a plus. Good list of clients. Some large, some small. I’d get a chance to work on a variety of projects which is a huge plus. I can’t get stuck doing one thing forever.

9. Leo BurnettAnother classic, feel like I could learn much from this company. I like that they have some big name clients like McDonalds and Visa. I think I would benefit from working on large accounts like those. The challenges would be very interesting. Also like that they have worldwide offices.

10. AppleBig fan of the products. But who isn't these days? Working in the marketing department would be a dream come true. Worldwide offices a plus. Biggest downside is moving to California. Not sure if I want to do that just yet.

11. Red SoxIt’s probably a bit unrealistic, but it’d be my #1 dream job to work in the marketing department for the Red Sox. Not sure how I would get myself into that, but if the opportunity ever presented itself, I could never turn it down.

12a. MLBGroup this into the Red Sox/ESPN category.

12b. NFLSame as above.

13. Sam AdamsA break from the ad agencies. I really enjoy fine wine and fine beer, and would love to do marketing for a brewery or a winery. Sam Adams is one of the instrumental breweries in the craft/micro brew movement. Seem to have a fun company culture. Plus they’re from my home state.

14. JWTThey seem to have a good read on current and breaking market trends. This separates them from other agencies. I like that. Client list is OK. Multiple offices a plus. International also a plus.

15. Magic HatAnother brewery I’d like to work for. Toured the factory, seems like it’d be a fun place to work. With plans to expand distribution nationally, things can only get better.

16. Avenue A | RazorfishBoston offices a plus. Like that they take an integrated approach to what they do. My skills could be a good fit here. Would like to do work in the internet realm. Lack of internet skills like web design a question.

17. AdworksLove the “us against them, small agencies rock” attitude. The candy emporium is a cool idea. Seems like it would be a great place to get my feet wet in the industry. I think I’d be involved in more aspects of the process then at a larger agency, which I like. DC HQ a plus, as are international offices.

18. DDBLike some of the creative work. Especially on Phillips Norelco body groom shaver and Monopoly Here & Now. DDB University a big plus, always looking to expand my skills and knowledge. Chicago and worldwide offices also a plus.

19. Draft FCBLong list of clients means I would have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Worldwide offices a plus. Offices in Chicago a plus. Creative work is OK. Seems like they take care of their employees. Might be a good company to work for.

20. Brand ContentSmall Boston based agency. Ability to have larger role in the process a plus.

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"What do Muslims think about Jesus?"

Muslims respect and revere Jesus (SAW) and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace'. The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:

'Behold!' the Angel said, 'God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.' She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?' He said: 'Even so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing He says to it, "Be!" and it is.' (Quran, 3.42-7)

Jesus (SAW) was born miraculously through the same power which had brought Adam (SAW) into being without a father:

Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was. (3.59) During his prophetic mission Jesus (SAW) performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said:

'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave.' (3.49)

Neither Muhammad (SAW) nor Jesus (SAW) came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Quran Jesus (SAW) is reported as saying that he came:

'To attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you paff of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey Me.' (3:5O)

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

'Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven.' (Hadith from Bukhari)